Chapter 350 Undercurrents
Somewhere on the New World's waters, large ships floated quietly.
Above, dark clouds gathered with flashing lightning. Torrential rain poured down. On the sea surface, fierce winds whipped up wave after wave, yet even so, this fleet remained safely afloat.
Every large ship flew pirate flags—skull banners with massive twin horns.
In the New World, everyone knew this was Kaido's flag—the Beasts Pirates' banner.
In the cabin of the fleet's most important ship, the monster feared by the world as the Strongest Creature was speaking with someone.
"Get here quickly, Linlin. I'm tired of dragging this out with that Red-Hair brat."
Kaido's voice was cold.
During this period of war with the Red-Hair Pirates, the Beasts Pirates had gained no advantage whatsoever.
Massive casualties. The enormous fleet had lost more than half its ships.
The Red-Hair Pirates hadn't even suffered fatalities. This was something Kaido found difficult to accept.
"Mamamama! I already know how useless you are, Kaido!"
From the other end came the old woman's merciless mocking laughter. "Wait a bit longer. Coming without alerting anyone requires proper preparation."
"Just hurry up."
Kaido said coldly. "Also, that Red-Hair brat is my prey! Don't get any ideas you shouldn't have!"
"Annoying brat. This is your attitude when asking for my help?"
Charlotte Linlin snorted coldly. "But whatever. As long as we can capture that kid and force the Final Island's location from his mouth, that's enough. I don't care about the process."
Her willingness to help Kaido deal with the Red-Hair Pirates stemmed partly from their past friendship and current alliance, but more importantly—the truly main reason was—
That Red-Hair kid had once been a member of the Roger Pirates, reaching the Final Island alongside the Pirate King.
Meaning, capturing that kid would bypass the Road Poneglyphs entirely, directly obtaining the Final Island's location.
This was a temptation Charlotte Linlin couldn't refuse.
"Hmph. Better be."
Kaido ended his call with Charlotte Linlin.
"This way, our victory is practically guaranteed."
Nearby, lounging leisurely on a soft sofa, Doflamingo played with his fingers. "No matter how strong that Red-Hair guy is, he absolutely can't face you two monsters simultaneously."
Speaking of Red-Hair, Doflamingo felt somewhat moved.
Had to admit—differences in innate talent existed between people.
That Red-Hair kid was even two years younger than Doflamingo himself. Yet his current strength had become completely beyond reach.
Though Doflamingo's heart wasn't entirely unable to accept this.
After all, there was Brett—barely in his early twenties yet already almost the world's strongest.
That side was truly worth sighing over.
"Hmph."
Kaido casually tossed the Den Den Mushi aside. His thick arm raised. His right fist already clenched. His face showed arrogance as if grasping the entire world.
"Once we reach the Final Island and obtain all this world's secrets, what does that bastard Brett matter! What does the World Government matter!"
"Worororororo!! When that time comes, the world's ultimate war can begin! I'll turn this entire world into a paradise for the strong!"
Isn't that already the case though?
Doflamingo smiled ambiguously.
Hadn't this world always been ruled by the strong?
The Beasts Pirates were making final preparations.
At the same moment, in another New World sea area, a large ship slowly advanced.
"Mama, I'm still worried—will that Kaido guy really be willing to share the Final Island's information with us?"
The family's eldest son, Perospero, furrowed his brow worriedly. Even his long tongue curved with concern.
Though Mama and Kaido were old friends of many years, and both sides had now signed a cooperation alliance—
But matters concerned the Final Island, that legendary great treasure, the Pirate King's position. Perospero found it hard to believe Kaido would compromise so easily.
"Mamamama! That Kaido's a shameless bastard, but precisely because of that, he understands what he should do."
Charlotte Linlin said without concern. "The sea's situation now is completely different from the past. Relying on himself alone? Heh, how will he face the coming storm?"
Brett alone was already more than enough trouble for Kaido.
Charlotte Linlin knew—that bastard Brett had supported a resistance force in Wano Country. Meaning sooner or later he'd move against that nation.
And Kaido should understand clearly—in direct confrontation, he absolutely wasn't Brett's match.
So he needed allies.
"I see."
Only then did Perospero nod reassuringly.
"Where's Katakuri?"
Charlotte Linlin suddenly asked. "Where did that kid go?"
"Training with Cracker, Smoothie, and the others."
When mentioning his younger brother, Perospero's tone grew complicated.
He was the family's eldest son. Theoretically, he should be Totto Land's future heir.
But whether within the family or throughout the entire world, everyone believed—his younger brother, the man named Katakuri, that Charlotte Family's greatest masterpiece—was Charlotte Linlin's true future successor.
"Training again? Mamamama! That kid's been quite enthusiastic about it lately!"
Charlotte Linlin chuckled lowly. "Does he want to become even stronger?"
Perospero unconsciously said, "Perhaps because the enemies ahead keep getting stronger, Katakuri feels his power insufficient?"
"Is that so?"
Charlotte Linlin's crimson lips curved upward. "Then when there's time, I'll have to properly test him. As a mother, naturally I must care about my child's growth, right, Perospero?"
"..."
Perospero's heart jumped. He quickly bowed and nodded. "Of course, of course, Mama!"
Mama—could she possibly not want Katakuri becoming too strong?
Perospero quickly forced this thought from his mind.
Meaningless.
The Charlotte Family just needed to follow behind Mama.
Only she could protect the family and everyone in this chaotic world.
But he couldn't help wondering—would this be a good thing for him?
On the ship's rear deck—
Katakuri looked at the younger siblings standing before him.
Cracker, Smoothie, Oven, Daifuku...
To handle potential trouble after capturing Red-Hair and heading directly to the Final Island, all main officers had been brought on this expedition.
So this was the perfect opportunity.
"Katakuri—"
His triplet younger brother Oven lowered his voice gravely. "Have you truly made up your mind? This isn't a game."
Katakuri nodded lightly.
He raised his right hand, then clenched his fist. Pitch-black tiny lightning crackled around his knuckles.
"Do you all trust me?"
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